Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area |
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 Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Montana, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Helena, Montana |
| Area | 6,666 acres (2,698 ha) |
| Established | 1981 (first designation; de-designated in 1982); 1985 (re-designation) |
| Governing body | Bureau of Land Management |
The Sleeping Giant Wilderness Study Area is a special outdoor place in Montana, United States. It's located on the west side of the Missouri River and Holter Lake. This area is about 30 miles north of Helena, Montana.
It's a "non-motorized" area, which means you can't use cars or motorcycles here. It's perfect for hiking and enjoying nature. The area was set aside as a wilderness study area in 1981. It covers about 6,666 acres of land with very few roads. About half of this land is covered in forests. A part of the famous Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail also runs through this area.
Contents
What is a Wilderness Study Area?
A wilderness study area (WSA) is a special kind of protected land. The government agency called the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) looks after these areas. Their job is to find and study wild places that might become official "Wilderness Areas" one day.
To be a WSA, an area must be mostly wild, without many roads. It should be at least 5,000 acres in size. It also needs to offer chances for outdoor activities like hiking or camping. These areas often have special plants, animals, rocks, or beautiful views. Until the United States Congress decides if a WSA will become a full Wilderness Area, the BLM must protect it as if it were already wilderness.
Exploring the Sleeping Giant Area
What Does the Sleeping Giant Look Like?
The Sleeping Giant area is shaped like a rectangle. It has Interstate 15 on its west side and Holter Lake on its east side. The "Sleeping Giant" is a famous natural landmark within this area. It's a mountain formation that looks like a giant person sleeping on their back. This shape is so well-known that local businesses often use it in their logos!
The mountains in the Sleeping Giant area range from about 3,600 feet to 6,800 feet high. About half of the area is covered in forests. Many small creeks and streams flow through the land.
Amazing Wildlife in the Sleeping Giant
This wilderness study area is a very important home for many animals. It's especially vital for mountain goats in Montana. You can also find many other animals here, including:
- Bald eagles
- Bighorn sheep
- Black bears
- Brook trout
- Cutthroat trout
- Elk
- Golden eagles
- Mule deer
- Osprey
- Peregrine falcons
Things to Do and See
There isn't much human development inside the Sleeping Giant area. The BLM maintains a few dirt roads that are open at certain times of the year. There's also one road that's open all year round on the western side.
The area has about 7 miles of trails for horse riding and hiking. You can also find 40 simple camping spots near Holter Lake. Some old buildings from early settlers are still there, but they are not kept up for use.
Right next to the Sleeping Giant WSA is another protected area called the Sheep Creek Wilderness Study Area. Both of these areas are surrounded by a larger protected zone. This zone helps to keep the environment safe and beautiful.
History of the Sleeping Giant Area
The Sleeping Giant landform was well-known to Native Americans in the United States long ago. Even tribes from far away knew about it. They told the leaders of the Lewis and Clark Expedition about this landmark. The Lewis and Clark Expedition even camped near the Sleeping Giant in 1805.
The Sleeping Giant region was first made a wilderness study area in 1981. Later, in 1982, a government official removed its protected status. But in 1985, it was made a WSA again, and the area was even made bigger in 1988. In 1991, the BLM suggested that Congress officially make the Sleeping Giant a permanent wilderness area.
For many years, there have been discussions about natural resources like oil and gas in and around the Sleeping Giant area. The BLM has worked to protect the wild nature of the Sleeping Giant. In 2007, the BLM suggested that the Sleeping Giant region should continue to be managed as a wilderness area. The Montana Wilderness Association has also been working to get public support to officially make the Sleeping Giant a wilderness area. They want to make sure the area stays wild and protected for everyone to enjoy.
